Real reason Paul Pogba was banned from active football for 4yrs

Published

1 year ago

March 1, 2024

Juventus player Paul Pogba has been banned from football for four years following a failed drug test, according to reports by Italian media.

In September, the ex-Manchester United player received a provisional suspension due to elevated testosterone levels found in his drug test.

Testosterone is a hormone that increases the endurance of athletes.

The 30-year-old was randomly tested after Juventus’ first match of the season on August 20, 2023.

According to BBC Sport, Pogba is expected to challenge Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal’s ruling.

Juventus informed the BBC that they were notified by the anti-doping tribunal on Thursday morning.

This decision implies that Pogba will not be able to participate in any matches until 2027, when he reaches the age of 33.

The ban was backdated to the date of the failed test.

Pogba injured in first start after 12 months
During the initial suspension, Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, said, “What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule.”

BBC reports that Pogba was found to have violated rules due to the presence of non-endogenous testosterone metabolites in the test, indicating an external source of the substances.

Juventus welcomed back Pogba, a former player of the club, with a four-year contract in July 2022 following his departure from Manchester United as a free agent.

During his time with the Italian giants from 2012–2016, he appeared in 178 matches and scored 34 goals.

The 2018 World Cup winner has faced ongoing injury issues since returning to Juventus, causing him to miss the recent World Cup in Qatar.

This season, Pogba has accumulated 51 minutes on the pitch as a substitute in matches against Bologna and Empoli.

During the previous season, he accumulated a total of 162 minutes across various competitions but did not score any goals.

Transfer: Chelsea, Man Utd, six others battle for Osimhen

Published

11 hours ago

June 15, 2025

Admin

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is in contact with up to eight teams about a possible summer transfer.

These clubs include Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Manchester United, Juventus, and Galatasaray.

Osimhen is now on holiday in Nigeria and will take his time deciding on his future club.

This was revealed by Goal’s transfer insider, Valentin Furlan.

Furlan wrote on X on Saturday: “Eight teams have contacted Victor Osimhen, per me and

@RudyGaletti, in the last few days: “Galatasaray, Juventus, PSG, Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, AC Milan, and Real Madrid.

“Osimhen in no rush to decide his future.”

Reinvented Olympic Balloon Makes Paris Comeback

Published

1 day ago

June 14, 2025

Admin

The 2024 Summer Olympics might be over, but French authorities are hoping Parisians and tourists can “relive” last year’s magic when the iconic symbol of the Games returns next week.

During the Paris Games, the Olympic cauldron tethered to a balloon flew into the Parisian sky at sunset every day, with thousands flocking to see the seven-metre (23 feet) wide ring of environmentally friendly fire.

On Thursday evening, President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo visited the Tuileries Garden near the Louvre, where workers were installing the redesigned balloon and ring.

“We are going to relive this!” a beaming Macron said in a video posted on X.

The balloon, which will no longer carry the Olympic branding, will take to the skies on June 21 during France’s annual Fete de la Musique festival of street music.

It will be accessible to visitors every summer evening from June 21 to September 14 for the next three years, until the next edition of the Games in Los Angeles in 2028.

Its flame made up of clouds of mist lit by LED rays will remain the same.

The flame is still “100 percent electric”, according to Pierre Viriot, communications director at state-owned power utility EDF.

But unlike last year, it will be turned off at night.

The reconstruction of the balloon and the ring has been financed by the Olympic Organising Committee and EDF.

Sports

Manchester City Endorse AC Milan Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for £46.5m

Published

4 days ago

June 11, 2025

ADMIN

Manchester City have completed the signing of AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders for an initial fee of £46.5 million, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Netherlands international joins the Premier League champions on a five-year contract, becoming Pep Guardiola’s fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Rayan Ait-Nouri, Marcus Bettinelli, and Rayan Cherki.

Reijnders joins City in time to be eligible for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States later this month, with a potential debut lined up for June 18 against Wydad FC.

“I am ecstatic to be signing for Manchester City,” said Reijnders. “City are one of the biggest teams in the world, with the best coach, world-class players and outstanding facilities. Under Pep Guardiola, City have won so many titles and I want to help keep that going with a lot more success in the coming years.”

Capped 23 times by the Netherlands, Reijnders was an unused substitute in his country’s 8-0 win over Malta on Tuesday night. He enjoyed a standout season with Milan, scoring 15 goals in 54 appearances and earning the Serie A Midfielder of the Season award.

His arrival comes amid the departure of Kevin De Bruyne, with Guardiola looking to bolster City’s midfield options after finishing third in the Premier League last season.

See also Information minister congratulates Super Eagles
Reijnders is expected to play a key role in City’s domestic and international campaigns as they aim to reclaim the league title and secure more silverware under Guardiola’s leadership.